Saturday, May 5

Harrisburg City Islanders 1:2 Charlotte Eagles - It was not a pleasant home opener for Harrisburg as a thunderstorm halted the game for 88 minutes just after a half-hour of play. Then things got interesting in the second half with Harrisburg's Sainey Touray go-ahead goal two minutes in. Charlotte's Darryl Roberts, answered for the Eagles in the 66th off a feed from Joseph Kabwe, a second half sub that also set up the Jorge Herrera game-winner seven minutes later. - More

Charleston Battery 4:0 Antigua Barracuda - The Battery dominated the visiting Antigua side which was shutout for the second time in three nights. Following a scoreless first half, Jose Cuevas tallied the first a minute into the second stanza. Then it was all Nicki Paterson as he scored the second in the 74th before setting up Salieu Bundu six minutes later and Dane Kelly in the 90th. - More

Thursday, May 3

The weekend's lower division action features two first-ever meetings as well as both Harrisburg and Rochester playing their home openers.

NASL Previews: The thrilling 3-3 duel between the Atlanta Silverbacks and Minnesota Stars last weekend will have an immediate rematch, this time in Minnesota. Last week's match ended a three-game scoring drought against the Stars for Atlanta, who were swept in four games last year by an aggregate score of 9-1, but kept the Silverbacks winless with four draws in as many games... Saturday's other contest will be the first-ever meeting between the Tampa Bay Rowdies and the expansion San Antonio Scorpions.

The only lower division winners on the night were the Wilmington Hammerheads. Another game in the NASL, another draw. The league has had more than half its contests (19) finish tied (10) with another six decided by one goal. FC Edmonton's odds of reaching the Canadian Championship final were made long with a loss at home.

Wednesday, May 2

1 – Aly Hassan – F – Fort Lauderdale Strikers: When Andy Herron went down with injury it looked like the Strikers would be in trouble. Instead, Hassan thrived with three goals, giving the club a 2-0 lead against unbeaten Puerto Rico Wednesday and then tallying the 3-2 winner after the Islanders had rallied.

2 – Peter Byers – F – Antigua Barracudas: Byers gave Antigua the lead 12 minutes in and after Charlotte tied it back up he set up two Stefan Smith goals in five minutes to give the club what ended up as a 3-2 victory.

3 – Reinaldo Navia – F – Atlanta Silverbacks: He broke a scoreless stalemate in the second half with two goals en route to the club’s 3-3 draw with Minnesota.

Tuesday, May 1

NASL Preview: The Carolina RailHawks play host to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers Wednesday. The contest is the first meeting this season after the two split the season series a year ago with two victories each. Carolina won both matches at home by a two-goal margin while falling on the road by one goal in both.

USL Pro Preview: Antigua Barracuda visit the Wilmington Hammerheads Wednesday in the first of two games in the Carolinas. It is the first trip to the States this season. Last season Antigua played host to the Hammerheads, dropping both games in one-goal decisions, 1-0 and 3-2 in early July.

USL Pro Honors: The league announced Charlotte Eagles defender Luke Williams as the Player of the Week as well as the accompanying Team of the Week.

PDL Signings: The Austin Aztex announced the addition of five players, including former US youth international Dillon Powers out of Notre Dame... Mississippi Brilla unveiled the final four players for the 2012 roster, adding three players from UNC-Greensoro and Syracuse as well as Columbus Crew Academy product and Columbia University bound Kyle Culbertson...

NPSL Honors: The league announced Tyler Hurst of the Sonoma County Sol as the league's Player of the Week for a hat-trick in a 4-1 win. It should be noted the first four weeks the honor has gone to a Western Conference player as it is the only region in action.

Quick Thoughts

Welcome

Soccer in North America

A blog dedicated to football in the US, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and beyond from top to bottom. Everything from the World Cup, CONCACAF Champions League and MLS to the minor leagues and youth development.

About Me

Currently a writer and co-manager of TheCup.us, I also serve as communications officer for the NASR. Previously a long-time soccer administrator, I began working with the Spokane Shadow in the USL Premier Development League from 1997-99, watching and working with players like Brian Ching and Craig Waibel. I then joined United Soccer Leagues and worked in the communications department through mid-2010.